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About WHRDIC

Defending the defenders

The Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRDIC) is a network that supports and protects women human rights defenders worldwide in their defence of human rights.

“We’ve faced such threats to life, such challenges, as defenders of women’s human rights. So this coalition resonates deeply with us.” – WHRDIC organisational member, 2012

Identity

We want the world to recognise that people who advocate for women’s human rights, whatever their gender or sexual orientation, are in fact human rights defenders.

If you are a woman activist; or a man who defends women’s rights; or a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) human rights defender; or you represent a group committed to the advancement of women’s human rights and sexual rights – the Coalition is here for you.

Recognition of risks

The world over, against all odds, WHRDs work tirelessly to protect human rights. Yet, the general public, and indeed the human rights sector, doesn’t fully recognise their work or the gender-specific risks they face.

WHRDs are subject to the same risks and violations as their male colleagues, such as surveillance; false charges and unfair trials; arbitrary detention; torture and other violence; enforced disappearances; and assassination.

They have additional vulnerabilities due to their gender; such as sexual abuse and harassment; domestic violence; conviction of ‘moral’ crimes; threats against their children; and gender-based attacks on their reputation. These are perpetrated by husbands, partners, family members, male colleagues and community leaders; as well as police, the military, the courts and other state actors.

On top of these, WHRDs who work on women-specific issues face great hostility where their work challenges cultural or religious stereotypes of women as symbols of family honour, submission and piety.

The gendered nature of these risks means that WHRDs require gender-sensitive protection and support.

Protect

We denounce violence and other rights abuses against WHRDs, and advocate for protection mechanisms, laws and policies that provide justice for defenders.

We let WHRDs know what resources are available to them if they are at risk, and help our members collaborate on urgent appeals.